FACE OFF Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

face-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf

Definition of face-off

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

face off

2 of 2

verb

as in to compete

to engage in a contest eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of face-off

Noun

In this unofficial but unavoidable national holiday face-off between two people who have been public in their dislike for each other, Swift gets to fire the first shot. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 Some fans embraced the face-off, such as Yaritza Barre, who is Ecuadorian with a Mexican husband. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Verb

Watch the the Dodgers face off against the Braves on Thursday, August 27, at Cosm. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Rogers and el Sayed are expected to face off in a tight primary race, with initial polls fluctuating between the two candidates in single-digit margins. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off

Noun

Nattie challenged Jaida Parker to a submission match for Heatwave as their rivalry turned up a notch.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The handlers may represent rival schools, but those rivalries tend to stop at the kennel, pasture or habitat gate, especially when another mascot is sick, retiring or in need of support.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Naturally, with three more Salt Lake City wives at the Alter Ego Party, Gizelle is ready to further investigate why Lisa is in a battle with her whole cast.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

In reality, Loesby contends, many struggles reflect predictable structural mismatches — a lawyer who prefers depth and analysis struggling in a role that rewards constant responsiveness, or one who thrives on collaboration disengaging in isolation.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
The states also contend that requiring them to identify mail voters to USPS violates federal privacy protections governing records of individuals’ First Amendment activity.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

Also, Napoli will host Como in a duel between Champions League participants.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
If both top closers have to do more or less the same thing, namely, stay in contention, arguably what has to happen here for either to hit the wire first, then the next question is, who wins in a stretch duel.

— Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of duel

Verb

Dustin Arnold, were racing as fast as 120 mph in order to get to the scene.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
In the span of less than a week this July, surgeons at a Southern California hospital raced to save the lives of two women suffering from alarmingly similar brain hemorrhages.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of race

Noun

Combined with recent updates across several companies in the AI industry, the AI competition appears to have entered a new phase centered on cost-efficiency.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Horse racing revenue in Illinois had been dwindling for years due to competition from casinos, the lottery, and video and sports gambling.

— Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Not long afterward, two dozen Border Patrol agents descended on Roosevelt High School as class was getting out, prompting a confrontation in which the agents deployed pepper spray and arrested four people, including a teacher.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
First was the question of how to manage Russia’s elites, many of whom were less than enthusiastic about a direct confrontation with the West.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

facelift

face-off

face off

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“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of face-off

noun

verb

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